Wide open spaces — and breathtaking ones, at that — are easy to find in Wyoming.
From the majestic peaks of Grand Teton to the iconic vistas of Yellowstone, Wyoming is awash in natural beauty. And there’s plenty of room here to take it all in. Though it is the country’s 10th largest state by land area, Wyoming is the nation’s least populated state. In fact, it’s said there are more pronghorn antelope here than people.
So, whether you’re looking for a nature escape, national park adventures or a taste of the authentic American West, Wyoming has you covered. No matter your itinerary, prepare to be awed by the views.
Jackson Hole/Grand Teton
From world-class winter skiing to year-round opportunities to hike, fish, camp and enjoy sightings of the area’s abundant wildlife, Jackson Hole is an adventure lover’s paradise. The residents of Jackson, which is the main town in Jackson Hole valley, know what they have here is special, and they’re passionate about preserving and protecting the area’s natural beauty. Still, they graciously welcome visitors eager to experience the region’s charms.
Given the popularity of the destination, groups willing to plan a trip during non-summer months — when the area and nearby national parks are less crowded — often find greater flexibility to set their ideal itineraries, along with more affordable lodging rates.
“There’s so much to do here in fall, winter and spring,” said Rob Nelson, director of destination global sales for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. “May, in particular, is a great time because the animals and wildflowers are out. But if you’re here before Memorial Day, you kind of beat the crowds a little bit. October, also, is just a magical time, since the leaves are changing, the elk are bugling, and the nights are a little cooler.”
With early planning, groups can access local-favorite dining spots well equipped for larger parties, including downtown restaurants Roosevelts and Hand Fire Pizza, which offer easy walking access to Town Square and its many shops, galleries and gift stores. Popular area attractions, including the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Jackson Hole Playhouse, welcome groups year-round.
Of course, many groups use Jackson Hole as a central base to explore nearby Grand Teton National Park, home to soaring mountain peaks, more than 100 lakes and plentiful opportunities to capture postcard-worthy snapshots of wildlife, from bears, pronghorn and elk to bison, bald eagles and moose.
Those in the know advise getting to the park early in the morning to avoid peak crowds. Once there, Jenny Lake, nestled at the base of the Teton Range, is a must-stop destination, thanks to its wow-worthy, reflective views of Teewinot Mountain and Mount St. John. Groups can enjoy rides across the lake on the Lake Jenny shuttle boat or hike to popular vantage points like Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
“I always advise taking a full day in the park because there’s so much to see and then coming back to Jackson to enjoy dinner and nightlife,” Nelson said.
Cheyenne
Founded in 1867, Cheyenne quickly grew to become Wyoming’s capital and most populous city, as settlers flocked to the area via the Union Pacific Railroad. Synonymous with the American West, the city has hosted Cheyenne Frontier Days — now held the last full week of July and billed as the world’s largest rodeo and Western celebration — since 1897.
“We have an influx of around 30,000 people a day attending Frontier Days,” said Amber Trevizo, events and special projects manager for Visit Cheyenne. “It’s an incredible event, with a full-scale carnival, a competition rodeo, live demonstrations, top-tier concerts and vendors selling all sorts of cool and unique Western-themed items.”
If your group can’t make it in July, don’t fret. Cheyenne boasts plenty to do year-round, including roughly 20 museums, from the newly opened Cheyenne Children’s Museum to longtime visitor favorites like the Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum and Cheyenne Depot Museum, which highlight the city’s Western history and early frontier days.
Seven miles south of town, Terry Bison Ranch offers an accessible, hands-on view of ranch life that all ages can enjoy. Guests can go on trail rides, feed bison and visit goats, alpacas and other farm animals. Not far away, the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens offers free admission to its nine acres of curated floral beauty.
The city also boasts an abundance of cultural attractions, including a vibrant mix of art murals, bronze statues and the famous painted 8-foot-tall “Big Boots” sculptures that add color and flair to downtown.
Area visitors wishing for an authentic Western rodeo experience have a second opportunity beyond Frontier Days, thanks to the city’s Hell on Wheels Rodeo and Chuck Wagon Dinner Series, launched in 2020 and operational on select dates between June and September.
“Along with the chuck wagon dinner, which includes smoked brisket by an award-winning caterer, groups can also reserve an extra ‘Behind the Chutes’ tour with their Hell on Wheels rodeo ticket,” Trevizo said. “It’s such a fun experience, offering an up-close look at an authentic, local rodeo.”
Cody
Founded by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1896, Cody has long been a beacon for travelers interested in exploring America’s Western heritage. It also serves as a popular lodging gateway for nearby Yellowstone National Park, roughly 50 miles away.
Groups can learn more about the city’s namesake and the legacy of his famed Wild West Show — a worldwide touring staple from 1883 through 1913 — at Cody’s Buffalo Bill Center of the West. With a diverse array of exhibits on Western art, Plains Indian cultures, firearms, natural history and, of course, Buffalo Bill himself, it’s easy to spend a full day on site — especially if you opt for a special add-on experience like a chuck wagon dinner or an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
Known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” Cody hosts both the Cody Stampede Rodeo, an annual event held around the July 4th holiday since 1919, and the smaller-scale Cody Nite Rodeo, a popular series throughout the summer months that’s been a town staple for more than 85 years.
At Old Trail Town & Museum of the Old West, groups can step back in time to get a sense of what it may have been like living in an 1890s frontier community. The site’s 27 authentic frontier buildings — including a school, general store, blacksmith shop, saloon and residential cabins, each relocated here from their original sites — are outfitted as they might have been when early frontiersmen first arrived in the area.
“Cody has something for everyone, whether it’s art and museums or that Western experience where you can ride horses, sing cowboy songs and go to the rodeo,” said Katrina Southern, marketing manager for Cody Yellowstone.
When groups want to rest and refuel, downtown Cody offers both food and entertainment options galore, including nightly dinner shows at The Cody Cattle Company, featuring a rotating lineup of family-friendly musicians. During summer, “Wild West Spectacular the Musical,” held at the Cody Theatre, offers a lively, comedic take on Buffalo Bill’s enduring Wild West legacy.
Yellowstone
No visit to Wyoming is complete without a stop at Yellowstone, the country’s first national park and famed site of some of the planet’s most unique — and iconic — geothermal features. There, you can explore a range of hot springs and mudpots, plus the famous Old Faithful geyser, just one of more than 500 active geysers in the park.
Traveling from Cody, groups can conveniently access Yellowstone through its East Entrance in about an hour’s drive, or through its Northeast Entrance, roughly two hours away. The latter option, while longer, offers “phenomenal views leading to the Lamar Valley, which is a wildlife hotspot in the park” with frequent sightings of bear, bison and wolves, according to Southern.
Inside the park, beyond Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — noted for its colorful canyon walls and picturesque waterfalls — is a must-see. The area’s iconic Lower Falls is viewable from several vantage points, including Artist Point and Lookout Point.
Given the park’s popularity, groups may wish to plan well ahead to book adequate blocks of rooms, particularly at in-demand park lodges like Old Faithful Inn, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, and Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins. That’s especially true for summer travel, though other seasons of the year often offer more flexibility.
“Yellowstone, for so long, has had this misconception that if you don’t book at least a year out, then you’re never going to get in here, and that’s just simply not true,” said Todd Walton, director of marketing and sales for Yellowstone National Park Lodges. “If you’re looking at early season, like the first half of May, or if you’re looking at October or November, those are great times [to come], and we can almost always accommodate groups during those months.”
Walton’s team can help customize lodging amenities to fit each group’s specific needs and point groups to options that sync well with their travel itineraries. For example, for those traveling to Yellowstone from Jackson Hole or via Grand Teton, Yellowstone’s Grant Village offers an ideal location that’s “really dialed in for groups,” Walton said. “It’s got an amazing restaurant that overlooks the lake, and it sits right on that [visitor-favorite] West Thumb of the geyser basin area.”
